Adept substitution breaks deadlock

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 v Barnsley 1

Two years ago you may recall I made mention of a player recruitment system employed by Brentford FC known as mathematical modelling; i.e. where those who rank highly by the most number of passes completed, or successful headers/tackles made are selected ahead of others. Designed for clubs of limited financial resource it also goes by the name Moneyball, the title of a book written by the economist Michael Lewis about an American baseball team, which was subsequently turned into a film starring Brad Pitt. All this preamble is a rather roundabout way of saying that though they reside in deepest South Yorkshire, Barnsley FC is also an advocate of the Moneyball method.

It is nearly twelve months since Wolves last played host to Barnsley. On that occasion the home side lost 4-0, their Manager Walter Zenga displaying a worrying lack of clarity in both his selection and method of play. My splash sub heading that the honeymoon was over may have been prescient. How times have changed though for three quarters of this game Wolves spluttered, occasionally springing into life like an old BSA two stroke.

The defining moment came in minute 80 when Head Coach Nuno brought on Alfred N’Diaye for Roman Saiss. Based on his performance against Bristol City, N’Diaye should have been on from the start but I guess he is young and as such needs his playing time managed. That aside within a second of his introduction he collected the ball from a throw- in in the right channel, went passed a Barnsley defender before delivering a pitch perfect cross. On the end was Bright Enobakhare, fresh from his goal winning exploits in the midweek League Cup tie, whose composed volley floated delightfully into the net.

On the run of play it was just about deserved but Barnsley fought back, demonstrating that the Moneyball method instils more than just skill on the ball. A minute into time added on the visitors were awarded a free kick deep in Wolves territory. Delivered with curve and pace by ex Wolves winger Marc Hammill, the Wolves defence failed to clear their lines. The ball eventually fell to Adam Jackson, on the penalty spot, who fired home through a crowd of players.

It looked for all the world that that was it. But with just two minutes left on the clock Wolves advanced towards a packed and seemingly impenetrable Barnsley defence. Yet in an instant it was unpicked, Enobakhare’s beautiful slide rule pass picking out Leo Bonatini. In one movement the Italian turned and squared the ball to N’Diaye who side footed home. The ground erupted, as much in relief as joy at a classy goal.

For Barnsley, who had played well for long periods of the game, it was a true kick in the solar plexus. But for Wolves, the victory demonstrated that essential league winning quality. Fashioning a victory when you are not playing at your best.

Wolves: Ruddy 6, Batth 6, Coady 6, Miranda 6, Doherty 6, Vinagre 5 Sub Douglas, Saiss 6 Sub N’Diaye 8, Neves 6, Jota 7, Cavaleiro 6 Sub Enobakhare 8, Bonatini 6

Barnsley: Davies 6, McCarthy 6, Jackson 6, Lindsey 6, Pearons 6, Williams 6, Hammill 7, Moncur 6 Sub McGheehan, Potts 6 Sub Ugbo, Barnes 6 Sub Hedges, Bradshaw 6.

Attendance: 28,154

Ref: Jeremy Simpson 8

©Mark Brennand